this was "ray" cool

Went for a swim down at the south end of wrightsville beach a few weeks ago on a hot Sunday afternoon with a friend of mine. As we're wading into the ocean waves, she reminds me that she is not fond of any sea creatures...hates sharks and jellyfish...is very afraid that something is going to creep up and get her from underwater. As she is telling this story in waist high water, I look east out over the Atlantic and what do I see?

This:

I did not have a camera of course, but this is a very similar image of what was in front of us...a manta ray breaching the surface. It was probably 50 yards out. I thought it was awesome, I have never seen this in all my time on the water and beaches of NC. It was the size of my car. My friend caught a glimpse of it landing, and was not so excited about it...timing could not have been more perfect to coincide with her stating she was scared of ocean critters. To credit her, she braved the waters for another 30 mins or so.

Good stuff, Di. :)

see this seahawk

ok, so it's not a seahawk, but it I certainly saw it...up close. we think it is a young Red Shouldered Hawk. it was looking to chow one of the many smaller birds that feed on the feeder it is sitting upon, which is just off my deck in my backyard. caused quite a stir with all of them, they were going crazy chirping. it eventually took off after a cardinal in the woods but missed. very cool to get a peep at one from such a short distance.

happy birthday, Pops

mad hops returns...

Many of you have asked, and here's your answer...my toadly friend has returned again to scale the front porch and meal under the night light for a third year. Cinco De Mayo was Mad Haps return date...a fine fiesta to choose her first Spring appearance. I've seen her probably 10 times already...my goal is to get video of her scaling the 4 front porch stairs...this is my America's Funniest Home Video cash cow if I can catch it...quite a site, but happens only after 10pm or so on humid nights. I am determined to get the footage.  I've only witnessed it once. 

Here is a not-so-exciting clip of her, the first...

feliz ano nuevo

Friends and Family,

Hope the New Year is treating you all good thus far. I've decided to use my blog to once again communicate a year review and some well wishes to you all. I've been very slack this year in posting anything to it, so this may serve as a catalyst to get me back on track in 09.

2008 was a year that included some great trips and highlights...here's a quick list that, once reviewing it, makes me realize that despite the economy and awful local advertising market, I'm a very lucky guy.

A quick view of my Dad on The Today Show representing his teams stance on harmful plastics

A Charlotte Bobcats game with some college buddies. They got smoked but we had fun. Thanks to Tim for hosting

A Radiohead concert in Charlotte with those same buddies. A top 5 music moment for me. Thanks to Pat for hosting

A 5th annual trip to Las Vegas to remember our friend Steven Anderson. Thanks to Mandalay Bay for hosting ;)

A beautiful but mosquito ridden weekend in Bald Head Island. Thanks to Jay for the freebie

A lucky chance to see Barack Obama speak here at UNCW's Trask Coliseum

Another lucky chance to see James Taylor play to a small crowd in support of Barack. Another top 5. He is pictured above

A trip with my Bro to see the Steelers lose to the Colts in Pittsburgh with our Cousins. Luckily they have now stepped up in the playoffs. Thanks to Greg and Rebecca for hosting

A few minutes with baby Charlotte Hinson snoozin' in my arms. Congrats to Dave and Dani

A whirlwind holiday trip to Raleigh, Chapel Hill, D. C. and Pinehurst to spend some quality time with my family and friends. This included a chance to see my cousin Katie sing at the National Cathedral. She rocks, as do her kid brother and sister. Thanks to Lakins', Spaller's, Salmony's, Haber's and Shelby's for hosting

So, thankful for all this, along with plenty more.

I plan on continuing my heavy support for green life...hopefully you are going green as well, if not already. Composting, recycling, taking a bag in the grocery with you, paying bills online, buying in aluminum vs plastic, donating items vs. trashing them, planting trees, discovering wildlife, buying and eating locally...I could list 1000 things here. It's hard to do it all, but every bit counts. It's obviously a passion of mine and I am working on a project that you will soon hear about, one that has a green arm to it and is also a good bit of fun. If you have any green websites or projects you are working on feel I'd be interested in, please let me know.

Thanks to all of you for your holiday cards, gifts, family pictures, email cards etc. It's great to hear from you. Some of you I have not seen in years. If you and I have not chatted in a bit, don't be scared to call, email or come visit at the beach.

Best to you in the New Year,

Much love,

~Sam

white men can't jump. but small brown toads can.

So early last summer I came home one night to find something that has now captivated me for over a year.

Got home late one night, a toad was waiting for me on my front porch. Waiting for bugs to drop from my porch light for a nice snack. No big deal, right? It would not be...if my porch did not have 4 brick stairs leading up to the porch. This toad is probably 2 inches long, if that. The stairs are exactly 6 inches tall. 4 of them. He/she has to get up these in order to get to my porch. This is equal me jumping up onto the top of a 2 story house. 4 times.

I probably found Mad Hops (that's right, Mad Hops, holmes) waiting for me a dozen times before I finally caught it in action last year. Basically, it jumps up and grabs the stair with its front legs. Then pulls itself up, kinda pull-up style. Quite a sight.

I had not seen it since late last summer, friends have been asking if I had seen Hops. I thought maybe it was an owl's dinner, or run over by the landscaping crew.

The picture above is at my front door from a few nights ago. Mad Hops is back! It comes from my back yard, across the walkway, scales the stairs, comes to the front door ledge, turns around and faces the street, and waits for dinner to drop. Does not flinch when I unlock the door and step over him. It has seen me so many times it knows I am not a threat.

I just get a big kick out of this. Web says they can live 4-20 years. Hopefully it's around during my stay here.

in rainbows

For 15 years I have listened to what I think may be my favorite band...Radiohead. I have all but one of their albums. I listen to The Bends, their second release, once a month, at least. They are currently one of the hottest bands touring...they made history with their current release, In Rainbows, by offering fans the option to pay what they wanted for the download of their new album...Thom Yorke was on the cover of Rolling Stone a few weeks ago...and the their first US Tour in like 900 years is getting very solid reviews.

AND! On May 9, 2008, I finally had the opp to see them in Charlotte. With my friends Marc, Robert and Pat. It did not suck. We were deep in the lawn, but a wacky lightning storm, huge shooting star and incredible light show complimented their music nicely.

A girl asked me a few days ago who they sounded like. I said, "Radiohead". There is no band to compare them to. They are one of most talented and unique bands ever, or at least in my lifetime.

Radiohead 5/9/08 Charlotte, NC Set List

Set #1: All I Need, There There, Airbag, 15 Step, Nude, Sail to the Moon, Weird Fishes/Apreggi, Myxomatosis, Idioteque, Morning Bell, Videotape, Optimistic, Where I End and You Begin, You and Whose Army?, Everything in Its Right Place, Bangers & Mash, Bodysnatchers

Encore #1: Go Slowly, Talk Show Host, Exit Music, Planet Telex , House of Cards

Encore #2: Paranoid Android, Reckoner

(thanks to Scott E of http://silenceisoverrated.blogspot.com for the pic)